Rehab begins Music & Memory
Project aids dementia patients
Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing Center, along with the Maine Partnership to Improve Dementia Care, recently introduced a personalized therapeutic music program for residents and early results are very positive.
Contributed photo
Edward Woodman of Washburn, shown here with his daughter, Shelby Willett of Caribou, is one of 10 participants in a unique music therapy program at Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing Home. 
The partnership secured a grant which allowed Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing Center to become a Music & Memory-certified facility. Fifty nursing homes across the state of Maine, five of which are in Aroostook County, are able to participate in this program.
At this time, the pilot program includes 10 PIRNC residents who are benefiting from the therapeutic potential of music, according to Danielle Lawrence, director of social services at the facility.
“Music helps tap into deep memories and reconnects people with the world,” she said.
The center has purchased iPod and earphone sets for each of the participants. Lawrence said each family has been contacted to find out their loved one’s favorite music. With the help of many donated CDs from family and staff, personalized song lists were set up for each resident.
“The response has been amazing thus far,” said Lawrence, who together with Marla Kovach, PIRNC activities director, has been spearheading the project. “Residents are eagerly attending the music group. We have seen participants be more animated, cheerful and engaged while listening to their music,” she added.
Participants are responding to their songs by singing, smiling, and even moving along with the beat, according to Kovach. Their families, she said, are pleased with Music & Memory as well and are also seeing the difference in their loved ones.
“Family members are now coming to use the iPod and music during their visits which is wonderful to see,” Kovach added.
Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing Center staff will track the results and monitor changes such as behavior, mood, medication and pain. They hope to eventually have all residents participating in the program.
Founded in 2006, Music & Memory is a non-profit organization that brings personalized music into the lives of the elderly by using digital music technology. The activity has shown to increase attention, reduce agitation and enhance socialization. The movie “Alive Inside” has been used to document the ability of this musical intervention program.
Anyone interested in contributing to the Music & Memory Program at Presque Isle Rehab & Nursing Center is invited to contact Lawrence or Kovach at 764-0145 or join the PIRNC Facebook page.
